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411 Lightweight MMA Rankings: Dustin Poirier, Pitbull Freire, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Dustin Poirier (28-6, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Conor McGregor – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 264 – July 10, 2021
– vs. Conor McGregor – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 257 – January 24, 2021
– vs. Dan Hooker – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – June 27, 2020
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Max Holloway – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: It would stand to reason that Poirier closed out the trilogy with McGregor at UFC 264 with a TKO win. Yes, McGregor’s left leg broke, but Poirier was in prime position even without it. Two judges ruled the first round a 10-8 for him and McGregor is not well known for being a fighter who’s best comes in later rounds. Up next for Poirier is assuredly another title fight, this time with champion Charles Oliveira.
2) Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (31-8, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: October 17, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 262 – May 15, 2021
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 256 – December 12, 2020
– vs. Kevin Lee – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Jared Gordon – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 16, 2019
– vs. Nik Lentz – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 18, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
3) Justin Gaethje (22-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (triangle choke) – UFC 253 – September 19, 2020
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 249 – May 9, 2010
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 14, 2019
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via KO (punch) – UFC on ESPN 2 – March 30, 2019
– vs. James Vick – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – August 25, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9-yGP9kORw
4) Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (32-4)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: July 7, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 255 – April 2, 2021
– vs. Pedro Carvalho – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 252 – November 12, 2020
– vs. Juan Archuleta – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 228 – September 28, 2019
– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 221 – May 11, 2019
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 209 – November 15, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. A.J. McKee – Bellator 263 – July 31, 2021
Comment: In one of the most intriguing Bellator match-ups in recent memory, the Featherweight World Grand Prix Finals are at the end of this month. Current champion Patricio Freire (has defended the championship five times in this run) will fight undefeated A.J. McKee.
McKee turned professional in 2015 in Bellator and has reeled off 17 wins. His semifinal win over former bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell in November was among the best submissions of 2020 (neck crank).
5) Michael Chandler (22-6)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 262 – May 15, 2021
– vs. Dan Hooker – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 257 – January 24, 2021
– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 243 – August 7, 2020
– vs. Sidney Outlaw – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 237 – December 29, 2019
– vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Friere – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 221 – May 11, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: If I’m Chandler, and the timing works out, I’m talking to the UFC to get the first fight with McGregor when he’s ready to return. It would be the quickest way to get right back into the mix at 155-pounds, and erase the pain of losing the title fight with Oliveira in the spring.
6) Beneil Dariush (21-4-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: May 6, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Win via decision (unaniumous) – UFC 262 – May 15, 2021
– vs. Diego Ferreira – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – February 6, 2021
– vs. Scott Holzman – Win via KO (spinning backfist) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2020
– vs. Drakkar Klose – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 248 – March 7, 2020
– vs. Frank Camacho – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – October 26, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) “Notorious” Conor McGregor (23-6)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 264 – July 10, 2021
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 257 – January 24, 2021
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 246 – January 18, 2020
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (neck crank) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: McGregor suffered a broken left leg Saturday night, which led to surgery Sunday in Los Angeles. He was already quickly talking, of course, about Poirier’s second win being a fluke. If the recovery goes well, he may be able to return before the end of the year or certainly by early 2022. McGregor’s last win remains the 2020 win over Donald Cerrone. His last win over a top lightweight was even further back, in 2016 when he stopped Eddie Alvarez to win the championship. When McGregor does return, the first fight will likely be anything but connected to title fights or number one contender status.
8) Dan Hooker (20-10)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: February 13, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Michael Chandler – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC 257 – January 24, 2021
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – June 27, 2020
– vs. Paul Felder – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2020
– vs. Al Iaquinta – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 243 – October 6, 2019
– vs. James Vick – Win via KO (punch) – UFC on ESPN – July 20, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Islam Makhachev (19-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 27, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Drew Dober – Win via submission (Arm Triangle choke) – UFC 259 – March 6, 2021
– vs. Davi Ramos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Arman Tsarukyan – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– vs. Kajan Johnson – Win via submission (armor) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018
– vs. Gleison Tibau – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Thiago Moises – UFC Fight Night – July 17, 2021
10) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (25-6)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 262 – May 15, 2021
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 256 – December 12, 2020
– vs. Justin Gaethje – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 249 – May 9, 2010
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 238 – June 8, 2019
– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLv5ZgFzlsY
11) Kevin Lee (18-6)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: September 4, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Gregor Gillespie – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – May 18, 2019
– vs. Al Iaquinta – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Sean Brady – UFC Fight Night – August 28, 2021
12) Gregor Gillespie (14-1)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: March 18, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Diego Ferreira – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – May 8, 2021
– vs. Kevin Lee – Loss via KO (head kick) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Yancy Medeiros – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – January 19, 2019
– vs. Vinc Pichel – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – June 1, 2018
– vs. Jordan Rinaldi – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 27, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Arman Tsarukyan (16-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 11, 1996
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Matt Frevola – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 257 – January 23, 2021
– vs. Davi Ramos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 18, 2020
– vs. Oliveir Aubin-Mercier – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 240 – July 27, 2019
– vs. Islam Makhachev – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– vs. Felipe Olivieri – Win via KO (head kick) – S-70 League – August 22, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Muslim Salikhov (18-2)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: June 9, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Francisco Trinaldo – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 5, 2021
– vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos – Win via decision (split) – UFC 251 – July 11, 2020
– vs. Laureano Staropoli – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 26, 2019
– vs. Nordine Taleb – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Ricky Rainey – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on FOX – April 14, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Diego Ferreira (17-4)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 18, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Gregor Gillespie – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – May 8, 2021
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – February 6, 2021
– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 246 – January 18, 2020
– vs. Mairbek Taisumov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Rustam Khabilov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Grant Dawson – UFC Fight Night – October 2, 2021
